Only the Valiant (1940 film)

Only the Valiant is a 1940 American Western film directed by William Keighley and starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, and Ward Bond. The film is based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Charles Marquis Warren.

The story revolves around Captain Richard Lance (Flynn), a U.S. Cavalry officer stationed at a remote outpost in the Arizona Territory in 1876. He is unjustly accused of cowardice by a prejudiced fellow officer and assigned the dangerous mission of defending a dilapidated fort against a large force of attacking Native Americans. The mission is made all the more difficult by the personal animosity between Lance and the superior officer, as well as Lance's love for the officer's fiancée (de Havilland).

The film depicts themes of prejudice, duty, sacrifice, and redemption. Captain Lance faces numerous challenges as he strives to prove his courage and protect his men despite the odds being stacked against him. He must overcome not only the external threat of the Native American attack but also the internal conflict and distrust within the fort. Despite its star power, Only the Valiant is generally considered a lesser entry in Errol Flynn's filmography.